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her. She looked in the mirror at herself, and took in the sight. This could be the last time she feels remotely normal. Not that she'd ever felt truly normal, but after today she could be well past the point of normal.

She changed her clothes, and tied her hair in a slick ponytail. She heard a soft knock, and started for the door. However, before she could reach it, Loki appeared in front of her. Startled, she clutched her chest.

"Jesus, Loki, what's the point of a door if you're just going to teleport? I could've been naked."

"And what a shame that would be,"

She rolled her eyes. "Put a shirt on, we've got some exploring to do."

"You've no idea how excited I am to watch you reach your fullest potential,"

Alex's eyes fell to the floor.

Loki immediately noticed, and placed a finger under her chin to bring her gaze up to him. "What is it?"

"Loki, I want you to promise me something,"

"Anything, dear,"

"Promise me you won't let me lose control. You won't let me become so obsessed with power t-that I--"

Alex cut her sentence short upon seeing Loki's realization.

"That you turn out like me," He spoke.

"I didn't mean.."

"You did mean it," Loki tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I know power has made me a nasty person, and I swear by Valhalla I won't let that happen to you, my love."

"You're no nasty person," She smiled softly. "I love you so much,"

"You've no idea the love I have for you,"

She patted his chest. "Shirt,"

"Your loss," He called as she left the bathroom.

Loki quickly changed his clothes with a wave of his hand. He looked over himself in the mirror, barely recognizing the man he saw. Before he met her, he hated himself. He hated the things he believed about the world. But, now, she made him see things in a different way. She placed a new lens of light over his eyes, and he vowed to himself to never lose that.

But, within her, there is an immense power. He only hoped he'd be able to help her contain it, or it would eat her alive.

"Alright, princess, you ready?" She called.

He smirked, leaving his thoughts back in the bathroom. "Of course."

They walked through the castle, hurrying to meet Odin at the stables. Nerves and anticipation settled within Alex's stomach, tumbling around until she felt almost nauseous.

"It's about time," He spoke once they approached him.

"She took forever to get ready." Loki jabbed.

Alex rolled her eyes. "Don't lie to your father,"

"It's how we communicate. I lie to him about you, he lies to me about my birth origins. It's quite the fun game,"

"I sincerely apologize that you must put up with this on your journey," Odin scoffed.

"I've been doing it for quite some time now, your Majesty."

"Right. Well, here's the map from the ancient book of Fjorlid. It shows you the way to the cave where the vines are located, but it shows not how to master the obstacles."

"I'm sorry, the what?"

"Did you really think you'd be able to walk up to the vines and start chewing?" Loki rose an eyebrow at his love.

"Well, no, but I didn't think we were trying to get to the Chamber of Secrets either."

"How do you know of that?" Odin furrowed his brows.

"Wait, that's real?"

Loki shook his head. "Can we stay focused? We lose daylight every second we spend talking to you."

"If you act wisely, you should be able to reach the cave. Loki, your mother retrieved these vines for you many, many years ago. With her skill and intellect, she was able to do so."

"Well, I am like Frigga in many ways."

"Alex is like Frigga in many ways. You should have no issue,"

Alex smiled triumphantly, sending a condescending wink toward Loki.

"Look at that, he's extended the lying game to you."

"If the map is all we need, then we should get going."

"Bring the vine back in this jar," Odin spoke. "It'll preserve it for the journey back,"

Loki took the jar, placing it inside a satchel fasted on his horse's saddle. He assisted Alex in mounting her horse before he mounted his own.

"Try to return before dusk."

"I'd never miss out on our meals, father,"

With that, Loki heeled his horse. He was off, and Alex stumbled to follow suit. She gave an awkward wave to Odin before she was off.

The pair rode quickly down the paved road that led into town. They flew through the village, and she could see the outskirts of town on the horizon. Once they were clear out of the village, they slowed down.

"Let me take a glance at this map," Loki held the reins in one hand, the map in his other.

"It's a shame Waze doesn't exist in Asgard,"

"Whom?"

"Never mind. It's pretty out here,"

"It's normally unwise to go past the outskirts, as it gets dangerous,"

"How dangerous?" She tried to hide the nerves evident in her voice.

"Remember when you took on the bilgesnipe? Things far worse lie outside the city,"

"Oh, cool."

"It looks like we follow this path into the forest, and once we reach a waterfall, we..." Loki's voice trailed off.

"We what?"

"The route breaks but picks back up, somehow over there," He turned the map around a couple times, trying to figure it out.

"We'll figure it out when we reach the waterfall."

Loki placed the map back in his pocket, glancing over at Alex. "You're a natural rider,"

"I'll pretend you didn't say that."

He laughed before "Are you nervous?"

"A bit," She admitted. "I'm scared transitioning will be hard, like becoming a vampire or something."

"Those are a myth," Loki laughed.

"I'm not sure what's myth and what's real anymore,"

"How do you mean?"

"Well, I work for S.H.I.E.L.D., where the impossible is possible. Not to mention, my boyfriend is a literal god,"

"I suppose so,"

The view around them was incredible. Asgard was in the distance, surrounded by glistening water. In front of them, a magnificent forest seemed to open its branches for them to enter. The branches were absent of leaves, allowing the wind to move right through them, creating an eerie sound.

"Stay close to my horse," Loki spoke.

"This forest is beautiful,"

"Just stay alert,"

They slowly moved through the trees, following the path. Suddenly, Loki felt a very weird sensation in his stomach. He almost gasped when he felt a tap on his shoulder.

"How did you do that?"

"Do what?"

"You tapped my shoulder." He deadpanned.

"I didn't, I swear."

Loki halted his horse, his eyes sweeping the scene around them. The branches had been moving, but not because of the wind. A branch slowly reached out to Loki, wrapping itself around his wrist. Then, another branch reached for his other wrist.

"Alexandra," He warned.

"Oh my god,"

She swatted a branch away, nervously glancing to Loki. A third branch reached in for his neck.

"Do something, now,"

"Okay, okay!"

She held her hands out swiftly, immediately freezing the branches. They fell limp, and Loki wriggled out of them.

"We need to get out of here,"

"Hiya!" Alex slapped her horse, and Loki followed suit. They raced out of the forest, dodging angry branches left and right.

"Loki, I'm getting drowsy,"

"Alexandra, I need you to fight it,"

"I'm trying!"

They finally saw the opening at the end of the forest, and barely made it out. Over to their right, the small waterfall could be seen. They halted their horses once they were in the clear, and Alex was fighting her eyelids.

"Can we take a rest? Over by the waterfall?" Alex asked.

"Yes, of course,"

Loki jumped off of his horse, and took Alex's in his hand. He led both horses to the waterfall, tying their reins on a tree branch. One that didn't move, that is.

As he allowed Alex to rest her eyes, Loki furiously surveyed the map. The route seemed to skip over the waterfall, but he couldn't figure out how. He glanced up above the waterfall, but there seemed to be nothing.

Unless, he thought, looking up from the map.

He squinted at the water, which seemed to be more reflective than normal. This could only mean there wasn't solid rock behind it--- Of course, he thought. They were to go through it.

"My love, wake up," Loki softly shook Alex from where she was laying on the grass.

"I'm up, I'm up."

"We must go through the waterfall." Loki mounted his horse.

"Wait, what?"

"That's why the route cuts off,"

"Okay, do not ride your horse through that waterfall, you idiot. Go stick your hand through the water first--"

Loki kicked his horse, sending it full speed toward the waterfall.

"Are you insane?" Alex yelled.

Loki grinned, bracing himself as he neared the waterfall. Alex looked away, not wanting to see the horrendous crash that was bound to happen. Yet, it never came, and Loki soared through the water on his horse.

"This man," Alex swore under her breath.

Suddenly, Loki's head poked out from behind the water, an elated grin on his face.

"Are you coming?" He said mockingly.

Alex scoffed, hopping on her horse as quickly as she could. "What am I going to do with you?"

"I can give you some ideas."

"Stay focused."

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𝚑𝚒𝚒𝚒𝚒 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚜

𝚏𝚒𝚛𝚜𝚝 𝚘𝚏𝚏, 𝚒 𝚑𝚘𝚙𝚎 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚎𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚜𝚊𝚏𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚝𝚑𝚢 𝚍𝚞𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚌𝚘𝚟𝚒𝚍 !

𝚜𝚎𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚍, 𝚞𝚖 𝚆𝚃𝙵 𝟸𝟶𝚔 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚢'𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚔𝚒𝚍𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚒 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚞

𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚢 𝚝𝚞𝚗𝚎𝚍 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚊𝚕𝚎𝚡 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚕𝚘𝚔𝚒 𝚝𝚘 𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚑𝚎𝚑𝚎 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚞𝚛 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚢'𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚋𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚖𝚢 𝚍𝚊𝚢 𝚘𝚔 𝚋𝚢𝚎